It's been 30 years since the death of John Lennon and Rolling Stone has released the remainder of his nine-hour interview with Jonathan Cott that took place only three days before his murder.

Cott said:

“Earlier this year I was cleaning up to find some files in the recesses of my closet when I came across two cassette tapes marked ‘John Lennon, December 5th, 1980.’ It had been 30 years since I listened to them, and when I put them on this totally alive, uplifting voice started speaking on this magical strip of magnetic tape."

Here are some HIGHlights from the interview:

On his critics, defending his five year break from music:
“What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I’m not interested in being a dead fucking hero…so forget ‘em, forget ‘em.”

On touring again with The Beatles:
“We just might do it. But there will be no smoke bombs, no lipstick, no flashing lights. It just has to be comfy. But we could have a laugh. We’re born-again rockers, and we’re starting over…There’s plenty of time, right? Plenty of time.”

Yoko on John's final minutes:
“Just before we left the studio [minutes before he died] John looked at me. I looked at him. His eyes had an intensity of a guy about to tell me something important. ‘Yes,’ I asked. And I will never forget how, with a deep, soft voice, as if to carve his words in my mind, he said the most beautiful things to me. ‘Oh,’ I said after a while, and looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed.”

14 comments to “Rolling Stone Releases John Lennon's Last Interview”

i lost any minor interest i had in john lennon years ago when i saw interviews with cynthia and julien lennon and it was revealed that he was a deadbeat dad that had abandoned his kid.
living or dead, he was never a hero to me.
:-(

Just seeing John's name on your page is sickening. You don't deserve to profit by talking about him! Keep his name out of your mess of a mouth…his memory is too special to be degraded by you. You're just the kind of person that John would've wanted nothing to do with!

Re: RHONYC* –
Obviously he wasn't the best dad or husband when it comes to Julian and Cynthia. That doesn't mean he was a horrible person. He and Julian were making up for lost time when he was killed- try to anyway. John expressed regret over the kind of father he was to Julian. To dismiss him because of a mistake (one many people make) when he was young is ridiculous. Look at the good he did! That and if Julian can forgive him, you can too.

Re: missmanda83 –
yeah, he left behind a broken son to be with his mistress and make a new son which left julian with HUGE abandonment issue and emotionally corrupt to then fill the void with drugs and alcohol.
you are right!
john lennon was a saint. being a dick to your own flesh and blood is nothing compared to writing a song about peace on earth and good will to all men.
THE MAN WAS A HYPOCRITE & A FRAUD who couldn't even bring peace to his own child & ex-wife before throwing them away for another.
stfu u f*cking donkey.
boo.

There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

Re: RHONYC* – He realized he was not a good father to Julien and did his best to make up for that later in life. He also made a point to be an excellent father to Sean. People learn through their lives and he certainly did. Try to reserve judgement for those truly deserving of it.

Re: RHONYC* – Wow. I didn't see your response to missmanda83 before I also replied to you. Her response to you was reasonable and kind, and you came back with "stfu u f*ing donkey"??? I am feeling very, very sad for you right now.

Re: missmanda83 – exactly what good DID he do. all he ever did was bitch and complain about everything. i have to agree with RHONYC in that he was a hypicrate. i mean it makes no sense to preach peace but then engage in drugs and alcohol. how peaceful is that? he was just another spoiled rich rock star and a deadbeat dad at that. love the beatles but i think lennon was very over rated.